Some McDonald’s locations shut down dining and play areas as coronavirus spreads
To help slow the spread of coronavirus, you may have to get your Big Mac through the drive-thru.
McDonald’s announced Monday that company-owned locations will shut down its seating and play areas amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“During this time, it’s important that we are available for all guests who rely on McDonald’s,” the company said in a statement. “To align with increasing regulations throughout the country, effective at the close of business today, McDonald’s USA company-owned restaurants will close seating areas, including the use of self-service beverage bars and kiosks, and shift our focus to serving customers through Drive-Thru, walk-in take-out and McDelivery.”
There are more than 36,000 McDonald’s across more than 100 countries, and local franchisees could have different procedures, the company said.
“Our independent franchisees continue to focus on the needs of their local communities and make safe and caring decisions,” the news release stated. “Franchisees are strongly encouraged to adopt similar operations procedures while keeping the needs of their people and communities at the center of their decisions.”
The company did not say how long the dining and play areas would be closed, but that it is a “temporary change.”
McDonald’s isn’t the only fast-food restaurant making changes. Chick-fil-A also announced that it would be changing to drive-thru and takeout orders only, McClatchy News reported.
The changes come as many states are ordering restaurants and bars to shut down to slow the spread of coronavirus, according to USA Today. There have been more than 4,400 reported cases of coronavirus in the U.S., according to Johns Hopkins.
“During these uncertain times that impact all of us in personal ways, our ability to support each other, our people and our communities will ensure we emerge from this crisis stronger than before,” Joe Erlinger, president of McDonald’s USA, said in a statement.
This story was originally published March 16, 2020 at 7:38 PM with the headline "Some McDonald’s locations shut down dining and play areas as coronavirus spreads."